37B . VOYAGE TO SEN EGAt« 
formed of my fate, if I should be drowned, and cast on sliore 
This was the only precaution which I thought it necessary to 
take. A\ e therefore found ourselves on an unknown spot, four 
in number, almost naked, and without the means of subsistence. 
The night continued to be very dark, and the rain poured down 
in torrents. We, however, continued to walk for two hours, 
without knowing whither we were proceeding: at length we 
reached a mansion, which we walked round several times, but 
could not find any door open, or a place in which we could ob- 
tain shelter, though we made noise enough to be heard, if the 
inhabitants had not all been in a sound sleep. At length, after 
much trouble, I discovered a little gate, which led into the park. 
I raised the latch, the gate opened, and we found ourselves, with 
inexpressible pleasure, in a large w alk, which led to the vestibule 
of the mansion. I knocked at the door with all my strength, 
and we heard the barking of dogs hiside; we also soon found 
that the domestics w ere stirring : they appeared to be running to 
the chamber of the master, doubtless to inform him that the 
house was infested by banditti ; as they only spoke to us through 
a garret window. 1 hey asked us first in English, and then in 
bad French, for what reason we had entered the park at such 
an hour ? I answered in a feeble voice, and lamentable accent, 
that we were unfortunate Frenchmen, whose ship had beeu 
wrecked, and that we requested an asylum. 
Jf that is the case, answered the person who first spoke, you 
may be easy; 1 will order my doors to be open, and you shall re-» 
ceive all the assistance that you may be in w ant of. 
Soon afterwards the doors were thrown open, and we saw 
in the hall all the servants of the chateau, armed with muskets and 
sabres : it seems they had taken this precaution, lest we had de- 
ceived them by our story; but when they saw us naked, almost 
frozen, and . objects of pity rather than fear, they put down 
their arms, and paid us every attention. 
AVe were at first conducted into the kitchen^ where, before a 
large fire, we warmed our frost-bitten limbs. Soon afterwards 
the mistress of the house, and all her female domestics, came 
and brought us linen, and other apparel, which we divided 
amongst each other as well as we could. A table was then laid 
out, and we were supplied w itli victuals and drink ; which we 
devoured with the greatest eagerness, being almost famished. 
After the repast, I was shewn to a chamber; while my com- 
panions and the master of the house w ent down to the shore, to 
endeavour to save something from the wreck. On their return, 
I learnt that the vessel had gone entirely to pieces at three 
o'clock. 
All the crew were saved j but most of thçm had taken aiio« 
